Ha Giang Travel Guide: Transportation, Sightseeing, Accommodation, and Cuisine
🗺️ Ha Giang Travel Guide A-Z: Transportation, Sightseeing, Accommodation, and Cuisine
📍 Location: Ha Giang Province (the northernmost tip of Vietnam) 🏔️ Altitude: 1,000-1,600m above sea level 🚗 Distance: 320km from Hanoi 🌤️ Best time: September to November (harvest season) and December to February (apricot blossom season)
🌾 September - November (Autumn - Harvest Season):
- Pleasant temperatures (15-22°C), less rain
- Terraced fields turn golden
- Most beautiful natural scenery of the year
❄️ December - February (Winter - Apricot Blossom Season):
- Cool temperatures (8-18°C), possible frost
- Apricot and plum blossoms cover the mountains
- Magnificent landscapes with year-round clouds
🌸 March - May (Spring):
- Warm weather (18-25°C)
- Trees sprout new buds
- Terraced fields turn green
☀️ June - August (Summer):
- Hot weather (22-30°C)
- Heavy rainfall, slippery roads
- Lush green terraced fields
Ha Giang is the northernmost province of Vietnam, bordered by Cao Bang to the east, Yen Bai and Lao Cai to the west, Tuyen Quang to the south, and China to the north. The winding, steep roads of Ha Giang are challenging for drivers. However, when you look around, the tension gives way to a sense of tranquility as you admire the beauty of the highlands.
🚗 Transportation
The best way to reach Ha Giang is by limousine or high-quality bus due to the many mountain passes and complex roads.
Transportation Options
You can use several modes of transportation to reach Ha Giang:
- 🏍️ Motorbike/Personal Car: Flexible but requires mountain driving experience
- 🚌 Bus/Tourist Bus: Convenient, priced at approximately 200,000 - 300,000 VND/person
- 🚐 Limousine: Premium service, priced at approximately 250,000 - 350,000 VND/person
Travel Directions
🚗 From Hanoi: Approximately 6-7 hours 🚂 Train: Approximately 8-10 hours to Yen Bai station + 2 hours taxi to Ha Giang
From Hanoi (320km):
- 🚗 From Noi Bai Direction - Take the Hanoi - Bac Can - Cao Bang highway
- 🔄 Turn onto Road 4C - Heading to Ha Giang city
- 🎯 Ha Giang City Center - Improved concrete roads
Important Notes:
- 🛣️ Mountain Roads: Many hairpin turns, pay attention to signs and speed
- ⛽ Gas Stations: Several along the route, fill up before ascending
- 📱 Phone Signal: Decreases at higher altitudes, download offline maps beforehand
- 🌦️ Weather: Roads become slippery during rain, travel early morning or late afternoon
Transportation in Ha Giang
- 🚴 Motorbike Rental: Approximately 150,000 - 300,000 VND/day
- 🚖 Local Taxi: Approximately 100,000 - 150,000 VND/trip
- 🚌 Local Bus: Affordable, fixed routes to districts
🏨 Accommodation
Ha Giang offers diverse accommodation options from local homestays to luxury hotels, priced from 200,000 - 10,000,000 VND/night.
Accommodation Types
Book rooms 1-2 days in advance, especially during peak season (September to November) and holidays.
🏠 Homestays (200,000 - 800,000 VND/night)
- 🏡 Experience: Live with locals, learn about Mong and Dao ethnic cultures
- 💰 Price: Affordable, suitable for small groups and couples
- 🎯 Notable Homestays:
- Hoang Su Phi Lodge - Stunning terraced field views
- Ho Thau Eco Village - Traditional stilt houses with thatched roofs
- Chung Pua - Auberge de MeoVac - Authentic local earth houses
- Bui Homestay - Stilt houses in Dong Van
- Lo Lo Ancient House - Lo Lo village near Lung Cu flagpole
🏩 Hotels (500,000 - 2,000,000 VND/night)
- 🛏️ Amenities: Private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, hot water
- 🍽️ Services: Most include breakfast
- 🎯 Notable Hotels:
- Huu Nghe Hotel - Ha Giang city center
- Quang Trung Hotel - Convenient location
- Pho Co Hotel - Near Dong Van market
- Meo Vac Hotel - Basic amenities
- Quan Ba Hotel - Beautiful views
🏕️ Luxury Resorts (5,000,000 - 10,000,000 VND/night)
- 🌟 Location: 5-15km from district centers, private spaces
- 🏞️ Views: Panoramic terraced fields and mountains
- 🏘️ Features:
- Private pools, spas, upscale restaurants
- Door-to-door transportation services
- Spacious rooms with premium amenities
Photo: Hoang Su Phi Lodge
🎯 What to Do
Plan for 4-5 days to fully explore Ha Giang, including tourist attractions and cultural experiences.
🏔️ Quan Ba Sky Gate
- Location: Quan Ba town, 40km from Ha Giang city
- Altitude: 1,400m
- Entry Fee: Free admission
Quan Ba Sky Gate is a famous check-in spot where you can overlook the valley below. During winter, you might encounter fog creating a mystical atmosphere.
Children running through yellow rapeseed flower fields in Meo Vac. Photo: Nguyen Duc Phuoc
🌾 Dong Van Ancient Town
- Location: Dong Van town, Dong Van district
- Feature: UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site
- Entry Fee: Free admission
Dong Van Ancient Town is an uncommercialized ancient village that preserves many traditional features of the Mong people. This is a must-visit to experience local culture.
🏛️ King’s Palace (Dinh Vua Meo)
- Location: Sa Phin commune, Dong Van district
- History: Built in the early 20th century
- Entry Fee: 20,000 VND for adults
King’s Palace was built in the early 20th century, modeled after Chinese architecture (Manchu dynasty) with curved lines and intricate carvings. The heritage site covers nearly 3 hectares in a valley.
🌄 Lung Cu Flag Tower
- Location: Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district
- Feature: Northernmost point of Vietnam
- Entry Fee: Free admission
Lung Cu Flag Tower is the northernmost point of Vietnam, offering panoramic views of the mountainous region. The Northernmost Cafe is a good spot to rest.
Lung Cu Flag Tower. Photo: Nguyen Van Tai
🌊 Nho Que River
- Location: Meo Vac district
- Feature: Emerald river with winding curves
- Entry Fee: 100,000 VND for adults (boat ride)
The road to the boat dock is very steep, with ongoing construction requiring experienced drivers. If unsure, hire a local taxi for 150,000 VND round trip.
Photo: Ngoc Thanh
🏞️ Ma Pi Leng Pass
- Location: Meo Vac district
- Length: 20km with over 50 hairpin turns
- Entry Fee: Free admission
Ma Pi Leng Pass is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful mountain passes, with mountains on one side and deep valleys on the other. Surrounded by sky, clouds, and mountains, visitors can leisurely enjoy the scenery and take photos.
🌾 Lung Tám Weaving Village
- Location: Lung Tam commune, Quan Ba district
- Feature: Traditional weaving village
- Entry Fee: Free admission
Lung Tám Weaving Village preserves the traditional weaving craft of the Mong people. Visitors can learn about the weaving process and purchase handmade products as souvenirs.
🍜 What to Eat
Local Specialties
🥢 Egg Roll (Bánh cuốn trứng)
Egg roll with thin rice paper and red egg yolk, a specialty of this northernmost region.
🍲 Au Tau Porridge (Cháo ấu tẩu)
Au Tau porridge made with glutinous rice mixed with regular rice, taro cooked with pork bone broth and herbs.
🥣 Gù Sticky Rice Cake (Bánh chưng gù)
Gù sticky rice cake is a Ha Giang specialty, hand-wrapped with green or black rice paper depending on the rice type.
🍲 Thang Den (Thắng dền)
Thang Den in Dong Van resembles Hanoi’s banh troi tau, made from glutinous rice flour, can be vegetarian or with mung bean filling.
🥩 Thang Co (Thắng cố)
Thang Co might not suit everyone but is a Northwest specialty with the aroma of cardamom, dổi seeds, lemongrass, and rich meat flavor.
🍚 Bac Me Bamboo Rice (Cơm Lam Bắc Mê)
Bac Me Bamboo Rice has become a characteristic specialty of the Tay ethnic people.
Ha Giang Egg Roll. Photo: Ngoc Thanh
Specialty Restaurants
Recommended specialty restaurants:
- Huu Nghe Restaurant (city center) - Ha Giang specialties
- Ethnic Restaurant (Dong Van) - Thang co, Thang den
- Pho Co Restaurant (Dong Van) - Gù sticky rice cake, Au Tau porridge
- Bamboo Rice Shop (Lung Tam) - Bac Me Bamboo Rice
- Meo Vac Restaurant - Local specialties
Notable Cafes
Several cafes are available in the towns:
- Northernmost Cafe (Lung Cu) - Panoramic views of the northernmost point
- Quan Ba Cafe (Sky Gate) - Terraced field views
- Dong Van Cafe (town center) - Quiet atmosphere
- Meo Vac Cafe - Ma Pi Leng Pass views
📷 Ha Giang Photo Album
Below is a collection of beautiful images of Ha Giang for your reference:
🌸 Flowers and Scenic Views
Flowers and Scenic Views
🏞️ Pho Cao and Dong Van
Pho Cao and Dong Van
🏛️ King’s Palace (Dinh Vua Meo)
King's Palace (Dinh Vua Meo)
🌄 Natural Landscapes
Natural Landscapes
⚠️ Important Notes
Weather Conditions
- 🌤️ Harvest Season: September-November, terraced fields turn golden
- 📅 Apricot Blossom Season: December-February, apricot blossoms cover the mountains
- 🌅 Photography Tips: Determine sunrise direction for the best photo angles
Safety and Transportation
- 🚫 Restrictions: Avoid mountain passes at night or during heavy rain
- 👥 Group Travel: Avoid large groups on narrow mountain roads
- 💰 Pricing: Always negotiate taxi fares
Costs and Booking
- 💵 Budget: Approximately 3-5 million VND/person for 4 days 3 nights
- 📅 Booking: Book accommodations in advance during holidays as they often fill up
- 🚶 Capacity: Ha Giang can accommodate thousands of tourists but avoid peak times
📝 Conclusion
Ha Giang is an ideal destination for those who love spectacular natural scenery and want to experience unique indigenous culture. With year-round beautiful landscapes and diverse tourist attractions, Ha Giang promises unforgettable memories for visitors.
Prepare thoroughly and plan carefully for a complete trip to this “terraced field paradise.”
📍 Important Note: Bring warm clothes, rain gear, and appropriate footwear as mountain weather changes quickly and terrain can be challenging.
Author: Tam Anh
